Happy Birthday, Nas! 10 Lyrics That Prove He’s the Best Rapper Alive!

Today marks rapper Nas‘ 43rd birthday! One of hip hop’s most important lyricists proves he just gets better with time. To celebrate this occasion, we give you some of the Queens native’s best lyrics which prove he’s the best to ever do it!

Sometimes I sit back with a Buddha sackMind’s in another world thinking how can we exist through the factsWritten in school text books, bibles, et ceteraFuck a school lecture, the lies get me vexed-er

2. “If I Ruled the World”

So many years of depression make me visionThe better living, type of place to raise kids inOpen they eyes to the lies history’s told foulBut I’m as wise as the old owl, plus the Gold Child

3. “Street Dreams”

Young, early 80’s, throwin rocks at the crazy ladyWorshippin every word them rope rockin niggaz gave meThe street raised me up, givin a fuckI thought Jordan’s and a gold chain was livin it upI knew the dopes, the pushers, the addicts everybodyCut out of class, just to smoke blunts and drink naughtyAin’t that funny? Gettin put on to crack money

4. “Hate Me Now”

Expandin more to the big screen, Bill Gates dreamsBut it seems you’d rather see me in jail with state greensWant me off the scene fast, but good things lastlike your favorite MC still makin some mean cashFirst rapper to bring a platinum plaque, back to the projectsbut you still wanna hate, be my guest, I suggest

5. “Nas Is Like”

I’m like being locked down around new faces, and none of em fam’I’m the feelin of a millionaire spendin a hundred grandI’m a poor man’s dream, a thug poetLive it, and I write down and I watch it blow upY’all know what I’m like, y’all play it your system every nightNow..

6. “Got Ur Self A…”

you Judists thought I was gone, so in light of my death

y’all been all happy go lucky, bunch of samboscall me Gods Son, with my pants lowI don’t die slow, put them rags up like Petey Pablothis is Nasdaq dough, in my Nascar with this Nas flow, reppin’hit the record sto’, never let me go, get my whole collection.

7. “One Mic”

Diamonds are blindin, I never make the same mistakesMovin with a change of pace, lighter load, see now the king is straightSwellin my melon cause none of these niggaz realHeard he was, tellin police, how can a kingpin squeal?This is crazy, I’m on the right track I’m finally foundYou need some soul searchin, the time is now

Just like an acrobat ready to hurl myself though the hoops of fireSippin’ 80 proof, bulletproof under my attireCould it be the forces of darkness, against hood angels of goodThat forms street politics – makes a sweet honest kidTurn illegal for commerce – to get his feet out of them ConverseThat’s my word

10. “I Can”

If the truth is told, the youth can grow Then learn to survive until they gain controlNobody says you have to be gangstas, hoesRead more learn more, change the globeGhetto children, do your thingHold your head up, little man, you’re a kingYoung Princess when you get your wedding ringYour man is saying “She’s my queen”